Texas AG threatens to sue feds over UN arms treaty

“Texas stands ready to lead the charge to have the treaty overturned in court,” Abbot said Wednesday, according to the Austin American Statesman.

“By signing this treaty, the Obama administration has attempted to subject Americans’ right to bear arms to the oversight of the United Nations,” he continued. “The very reason we fought for independence was to free ourselves from the dictates of leaders in other lands.”

Abbott plans to run governor in the Texas Republican primary next year.

The National Rifle Association and many Republicans oppose the U.N. arms treaty because it covers small arms. The treaty would have to be ratified by the U.S. Senate, but is unlikely to get majority support in the upper chamber.

Advocates of the treaty say its primary purpose is to regulate international arms sales in an attempt to keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists and rogue regimes.